Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-11-25

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Hu Jintao continues state visit

[02] Papandreou notes China's role

[03] Papariga meets Chinese leader

[04] Athens Stock Exchange : Rise

[05] Athens Newspaper Headlines

[01] Hu Jintao continues state visit

On Tuesday morning, Hu Jintao and his wife, Madame Liu, were given a guided tour of the Acropolis archaeological site, Greece's foremost landmark, accompanied by Culture Minister Michalis Liapis.

Later, the two leaders will speak to the press and afterwards Karamanlis will host an official reception for the influential world leader.

Meanwhile, the Chinese news agency Xinhua on Monday disseminated an interview given by Karamanlis, where the Greek premier referred to a "significant milestone" in Sino-Greek relations. The interview is also reproduced in the newspaper "China Daily", the electronic edition of the "People's Daily" and carried on the China Radio International broadcast.

Among others, Karamanlis said the Greek government wants to transform Greece into a vital regional hub for attracting Chinese investments.

On Tuesday evening, Karamanlis will speak at the 19th Annual Congress of the Greek-American Chamber of Commerce on the issue:"The hour of the Greek economy".

Caption: Chinese President Hu Jintao and his wife, Madame Liu, pose in front of the Parthenon Temple atop the Acropolis in Athens on Tuesday 25 November 2008. ANA-MPA/ ORESTIS PANAGIOTOU

[02] Papandreou notes China's role

After the meeting, Papandreou underlined the need for further development of China -Greece bilateral relations, stressing that he places great importance on China's investments in Greece.

Referring to the Cosco Pacific contract for the Pireaus port terminal he said "I had the opportunity to reiterate PASOK's steadfast position on the strategic infrastructures and how we see them for our country".

Papandreou noted China's role in the international financial crisis, especially at the present conjuncture, and expressed his appreciation for Chinese President's decision to appoint a personal delegate to the Stiglitz Committee which has been established by the Socialist International, of which Papandreou is currently president, in order to work on a progressive proposal for a way out of the crisis.

Ju Hintao addressed an official invitation to Papandreou to visit China.

CAPTION: ANA-MPA file photo of main opposition PASOK party leader George Papandreou

[03] Papariga meets Chinese leader

After the meeting Papariga said that she agrees with international cooperation when it is for the mutual interest, referring to Chinese investments in Greece.

Papariga stressed that "international relations should be taken advantage of to the degree that there will be a mutual benefit, and when they contribute to Greece not relying on 'centres' that obstruct its development", but clarified that the KKE opposes the privatization of ports, mountains, beaches etc.

"Our opposition has nothing to do with who, or of what nationality, the buyer is. We believe that the latter are all public property and must belong to the state. The responsibility lies on the Greek side. When you sell something, there will be buyers," Papariga explained, adding that that was why the KKE was putting the blame on the Greek government, "both the present and the preceding one", and not on the buyer.

The KKE leader also said that her talks with Hu Jintao focused on the international financial crisis while, turning to relations between her party and the Communist party of China, she spoke of a constructive, substantive and sincere exchange of views.

Caption: Communist party of Greece leader Aleka Papariga meets with Chinese president Hu Jintao in Athens on Tuesday 25 November 2008.ANA-MPA/SYMELA PANTZARTZI

[04] Athens Stock Exchange : Rise

Individual sector indices were moving upward across the board, with the biggest gains in Banks, up 4.15 percent; Constructions, up 4.02 percent; Oil & Gas, up 3.41 percent; and Raw Materials, up 3.26 percent.

The FTSE/ASE 20 index for blue chip and heavily traded stocks was up 3.35 percent, the FTSE/ASE MID 40 index was up 1.01 percent, and the FTSE/ASE-80 small cap index was up 1.43 percent.

Of the stocks moved, 122 were up, 23 were down, and 34 were unchanged.

[05] Athens Newspaper Headlines

The shortage of medicines and medical staff in public hospitals and the developments in the Vatopedi monastery scandal dominated the headlines on Tuesday in Athens' newspapers.

ADESMEFTOS TYPOS: "Vatopedi's Abbot Ephraim and monk Arsenios mocked and disregarded parliament's fact finding commission".

APOGEVMATINI: "Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis honoured (with his presence) an Apogevmatini event on Greece- France relations".

AVGHI: "'Black out' in hospitals - Health Minister, as an alibi, puts the blame on the 'piranhas'.

AVRIANI: "Karamanlis and FM Dora Bakoyannis take charge - Aggressive four-month political project aimed at radical reversal of the political climate".

CHORA: "Mercy - Abbot Ephraim dishonoured the parliament and the government".

ETHNOS: "Lord help us - Abbot Ephraim's show of arrogance in parliament".

ELEFTHEROS: "Opinion polls indicating main opposition to have taken the lead sets the government on fire".

ELEFTHEROS TYPOS: "Foreign countries ambassadors' stern recommendations regarding the debts to pharmaceutical companies - USA makes 'demarche' over the unpaid bills to American suppliers".

ELEFTHEROTYPIA: "The battle of the crisis - Greek government gives....a heating- oil benefit while Europe takes measures for the real economy".

ESTIA: "Historic agreement with the Chinese - Greece to become the entrance gate to Europe".

KATHIMERINI: "The impasses in the Health sector multiply - Social security funds and disagreement among doctors".

LOGOS: "Karamanlis states : Not a single new tax will be imposed in 2009".

NIKI: "Abbot Ephraim pointed at the government after insulting parliament by giving a deposition instead of testifying".

RIZOSPASTIS: "People must stand up against government's and opposition's blackmailing for the euroroute impasse- People will pay the cost of the crisis".

TA NEA: "Light shed on 'Vatopedi Ltd' ledger - Millions of euros and secret accounts".

TO VIMA: "Vatopedi scandal angers the people, who are shocked".

VRADYNI: "New Deal against the credit crisis - Obama and Brown pioneers of a steam-engine for growth".

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